Bart held several jobs in

 different industries, but it wasn't until GICV set Bart

up with a job-shadowing opportunity with Westwood Garden Haven...that Bart found his true calling.

In 1993, Barton L. Seltmann, Jr. was in a severe automobile accident that resulted in traumatic brain injury.  He received physical and cognitive rehabilitation services at Reading Rehabilitation Hospital, then subsequently enrolled at the Hiram G. Andrews Center and received a Medical Clerical diploma.  In the fall of 2004, Bart enrolled in Goodwill Industries^® of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc.'s (GICV’s) Community Employment Services and completed Transitional Employment Training at the PA CareerLink, Cambria County.  Bart held several jobs in different industries, but it wasn’t until GICV set Bart up with a job-shadowing opportunity with the Westwood Garden Haven in the spring of 2006 that Bart found his true calling. 
 

Bart performed so well in his job shadowing that owner Glenn Rosage hired Bart as a seasonal garden laborer.  Bart takes great pride in his work and has excellent attendance, using public transportation to get to and from his job with a nearly one-hour commute each way.  Bart feels that the nature of his job is suited to helping him to maintain his balance and gait, which were compromised following his accident.  Bart is proud of the fact that he maintains his own apartment, manages his finances, and accesses community resources independently. 
 
One day after devoting several weeks to weeding and organizing the perennial greenhouse, Bart was thrilled to find a hand-lettered sign that his manager placed on the greenhouse door that reads:  “This greenhouse professionally maintained by Bart.”  He was also given a T-shirt with his name monogrammed on the front.  Bart always felt valued, but this was tangible proof.  In the spring of 2009, Bart began his fourth season with the Westwood Garden Haven. 
 
GICV proudly presented Barton L. Seltmann, Jr. with a 2008 Achievement Award at its Annual Breakfast and Report the Community on May 21, 2009, attended by more than 125 members of the community.

With the guidance of GICV, Harry recognized an opportunity to turn an unfortunate situation into an aspiring one by pursuing the career he always wanted.

After becoming a dislocated worker from Freight Car America in March 2007, Harry A. Vatavuk didn’t know it, but he was about to fulfill his long-time goal of working in the healthcare field.  Upon graduation from high school, Harry wanted to pursue an education to become a nurse, but his father helped him to obtain a position working in the steel mills with high wages and excellent benefits.  It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up at the time, but was in an industry that would later decrease its workforce.

When Harry visited the PA CareerLink^®, Cambria County, Goodwill Industries^® of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc. (GICV) enrolled him in the Trade and Workforce Invest Act (WIA) program upon learning of his aspiration of becoming a nurse.  Harry enrolled in the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and began classes in September 2007.  He utilized Supportive Services through the WIA for childcare assistance.

Harry successfully graduated from the program and on October 28, 2008, was offered full-time employment as an LPN at the Golden Living Center in Richland Township.  With a work attire implement allowance through the WIA, Harry was able to obtain the proper “scrubs” and shoes for his new job. 
 
His GICV career counselors say that he is the perfect example of taking lemons and making lemonade.  With the guidance of GICV, Harry recognized an opportunity to turn an unfortunate situation into an aspiring one by pursuing the career he always wanted.  Harry secured full-time employment with Interim HealthCare, Johnstown working as an LPN in the Home Care Visits division.
 
GICV proudly presented Harry A. Vatavuk with a 2008 Achievement Award at its Annual Breakfast and Report the Community on May 21, 2009, attended by more than 125 members of the community.

Although Ron has a severe visual impairment, he maintains a positive attitude, and figures out

how to do something rather than saying it cannot be done.

In the spring of 2008, Ronald B. Wetzel was referred to Goodwill Industries^® of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc.'s (GICV’s) Community Employment Services (CES) paid training program for adults with disabilities by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation/Bureau of Blind and Visual Services.  Although Ron has a severe visual impairment, he maintains a positive attitude, and figures out how to do something rather than saying it cannot be done.  Ron began GICV’s paid training program in the production department at Goodwill’s Ebensburg Retail Store in December 2008 affixing price tags on clothing and merchandise in preparation for the sales floor.
 
Textured friction tape was applied to the floor to delineate boundaries.  A fellow associate assists Ron with resetting his pricing gun for each price point.  His coworkers monitor the work area to ensure that pathways remain unobstructed.  Ron is fluent in reading and “writing” Braille and personally labeled the presort bins with Braille markings.  He keeps his work schedule by using alarms on his cell phone and a tape recorder.  He’s also quite adept at using a computer and Window-Eyes^TM talking software. 
 
Ron successfully completed his paid training and secured employment with GICV as a Production Associate in Goodwill’s Ebensburg Retail Store and new Richland Retail Store and Donation Center on Eisenhower Boulevard. 
 
Further proof of Ron’s “if there’s a will, there’s a way” attitude is the fact that he is a volunteer firefighter and Communications Officer and has served as Vice President/Radio Operator and Emergency Management Coordinator for different volunteer fire companies.  On August 8, 2007, Ron’s experience and training proved to be life-saving when he was instrumental in assisting residents to safely escape a serious apartment fire.  Ron was recognized for his efforts with Certificates of Valor from the Pennsylvania Senate, the House of Representatives, and five additional associations.  He was also named Firefighter and Member of the Year by the Spangler Volunteer Fire Company.
 
GICV proudly presented Ronald B. Wetzel with a 2008 Achievement Award at its Annual Breakfast and Report the Community on May 21, 2009, attended by more than 125 members of the community.